In a Feb. 17 letter (“Clueless in Berkeley”), Rod Ferroggiaro, who described himself as a “spit on” Vietnam veteran, deplored “an assortment of old hippies” and “high school students brought by their teachers” who took part in an anti-war/anti-Marine-Corps-recruiter demonstration in Berkeley on Feb. 12, asserting that the protesters had displayed “vile contempt for our armed forces and a total lack of respect for our country”s laws and its Constitution.” In ending his letter, Rod wondered if the public really cared what was happening in Berkeley that day, and if America had learned nothing since the 1960s.

Well I, too, wonder if the American people have learned anything since the Vietnam War – an unnecessary war that cost 58,000 American lives. And as for the Berkeley anti-war demonstrators” “lack of respect for our armed forces,” how respectful is it for our military to engage them in a pre-emptive invasion and occupation of Iraq based totally on lies and disinformation? Rod also asserted the demonstrators” lack of respect for our country”s laws and its Constitution. It seems Rod never heard of the FISA law that was passed by Congress because of the abuses of Richard Nixon, and that required the president to get court warrants to carry out spying on the American people. George W. Bush decided that if he could get away with lying the nation into a war, he certainly was above a little thing like the FISA law – or the Bill of Rights (the neo-con Patriot Act allows the government, if it so chooses, to violate the privacy and civil rights of anyone!). And then we have Bush”s violation of international law and the Geneva Convention, not only in initiating an illegal war of aggression, but also in authorizing “extreme interrogation methods,” including waterboarding. After World War II, Japanese who had used waterboarding on U.S. prisoners were charged with war crimes. Nevertheless, Bush has claimed – to protect America – he is above any and all laws, and there are many Americans who would give up some or all of their freedoms for some fantasy idea of security that would be provided by a deceitful, ignorant president and his corrupt conservative colleagues.

Yes, Rod Ferroggiaro, Americans have learned little since the Vietnam War. Let us hope America can regain some sanity under a Democratic president – Amen.